SMILE

Have you ever had one of those days when you wished that the work day was over? Your routine was the same, day in and day out.

Marge was feeling down and out this day and finally the work day was over. She simply wanted to go home, kick off her shoes, and relax.......................

Her job was boring but IT PAID THE BILLS....................

Prior to going home, she had to shop for a number of household necessities. There was a large warehouse shopping store on her way home where she could get what was needed.

She noticed other grumpy faces as she shopped.

So she smiled as she passed one couple. They looked at her, hesitated for a moment and then smiled back.

That felt good.

The next person she passed looked confused and she asked if they needed help. They did and a conversation started that was mutually beneficial.

That felt very good.

This continued as she shopped. Now she noticed as she kept smiling; more people smiled with her. More friendly chit chat.

She slowed down her pace and realized that she did not have to rush home. This shopping experience had turned into just what she needed to feel good that day. AND ALL BECAUSE OF A SMILE.......................

She finished shopping and looked at her watch. She was still on schedule. The extra time spent interacting with others actually took very little of her time. The SMILE took no extra time.

Time to check out. The lines were long. KEEP SMILING......................

They opened up more cash registers and she was through in a short time.

NEXT..............

Marge was in a long line of shoppers waiting to exit this large warehouse shopping store. You know, the ones that check your receipt prior to existing the store.

She could not help but notice that the person checking the receipts looked tired. No smile on his face. Same routine with every customer. Take their receipt, check their basket and thank them for shopping there.

When it was her turn to hand over her receipt and have the contents checked, she gave him a big smile. She looked at his name tag while he was checking her basket. When he returned her receipt, she said, "THANK YOU MARTY. She was the only one who addressed him by his name and with a smile.

He smiled back with a big, big smile and said, " AND YOU HAVE A VERY, VERY GOOD EVENING"

A smile, a personal acknowledgement, cost nothing and yet produces huge returns. Both in feeling good yourself and making someone else feel good. It may be the only smile or kind word that they have had all day.......................or as in the case of many..........................the only smile and kind word that they have had in a long time.

By the time Marge returned home, she was in a much better mood then when she left work.

IN MEMORY

Memorial Day has passed and yet my mind is filled with thoughts of our brave men and women who have served our country. Some, I have had the privilege of knowing. Many family members and friends have served our country well and with honor.

All have made a great impression on me.

Whenever I see a member of our armed forces, I say a private prayer for them. I ask God to bless them and keep them safe. I include their families in my prayers.

I also say a prayer for the walking wounded. Those who are no longer in uniform and have returned to civilian life. I say walking wounded because many carry scars that one cannot see. Their minds and hearts are forever altered by what they have witnessed and endured in battle.

Most will not talk about their inner pain; they put on a happy face. But they never forget.................

I remember a good friend who was an extremely handsome, charming Irish-American. I remember his smile and wit. I also remember his broken heart and anguish at being one of the few survivors of his Marine battalion in battle overseas. He could not get the picture of his dead comrades out of his mind and always questioned why he survived. He survived in body but part of his heart and soul died in battle that day. It affected him his entire life.

We remember those who have passed away. We need to respect and honor those who have survived and yet that does not always happen in the reality of life. These brave men and women give so much to us. What do we give back?

While in the San Diego airport, a couple of weeks ago, I watched a young man in uniform hug his young wife and baby. I could not help but wonder if he was being shipped overseas as he boarded the flight that I was on. I wondered about his family
and hoped and prayed that he would return to them, healthy in mind, body and soul.

So many who serve, do not return whole...................

Remember the living as well as the dead..............Pray for those who keep us safe.......support their brave efforts. And when they return, help them in their adjustment to civilian life............